Establishment of a conference

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, method, computer readable medium, and system are provided for associating content with a conference. A viewer of content may elect to partake in a conference and may select one or more options associated with the conference. The viewer may be authenticated and billed based on the viewer&#39;s participation in the conference. The viewer may be assigned to a conference group based on a location of the viewer and/or the viewer&#39;s selections of conference options. A lookup may be performed to determine conference parameters, comprising one or more of a terminal identifier associated with the viewer, a conference code identifier and a participant code. A conference setup message may be transmitted to one or more of a switch and a customer premise equipment device (CPE) based on the conference parameters.

FIELD OF ART

The features described herein generally relate to providing users withaccess to content over a network. More specifically, aspects of thedisclosure describe establishing a conference over one or more networks.

BACKGROUND

Social networking is frequently based on shared common interests. Forexample, people that like a particular movie may create or establish aweb page dedicated to the movie. On the web page, the people may postmessages with respect to the movie. For example, people may write orpost messages regarding the characters, the acting, themes, plotsequence and the like.

While current social networking platforms may bring people together thatshare a common interest, the social networking platforms tend to belocation independent. Moreover, communications via conventional socialnetworking platforms tend to be stale in nature and are establishedoutside of a logical context. It is difficult to locate relevant socialnetworking groups, given the proliferation of information that is nowavailable due to advancements in technology, including the Internet.Social networking users are continuously looking for ways to improve onhow they connect to, and interact with, one another.

SUMMARY

This summary is not intended to identify critical or essential featuresof the disclosure provided herein, but instead merely summarizes certainfeatures and variations thereof.

In some embodiments, a conferencing option may be associated with anelectronic program guide (EPG), an interactive program guide (IPG), atelevision program, a movie, or any other visual programming content.The presence or availability of a conferencing option may be indicatedas an icon, as an option in a menu, or the like. In response to aselection of the conferencing option, a message may be transmitted froma customer premise equipment device (CPE), to a video application server(VAS). The message transmitted to the VAS may include one or more of aCPE identification (ID), a viewer (ID), and a program identification(PID).

In some embodiments, the VAS may be configured to respond to the messagereceived from the CPE. That response may include determining a terminalidentifier, such as a telephone number, associated with a viewer. Forexample, a database may be used to map one or more of a CPE ID and aviewer ID to a viewer phone number. The VAS may be configured to searchthe database using the CPE ID and/or viewer ID received in the messagetransmitted by the CPE. The VAS response to the message received fromthe CPE may include determining a node that the CPE belongs to. Usingthe determined node and the PID included in the message received fromthe CPE, the VAS may be configured to determine a conference callparticipant code and/or a conference code, such as a dial-in number.

In some embodiments, the VAS may be configured to transmit one or moreof the terminal identifier, the conference code and the conference callparticipant code to a selected communications/voice application server(CAS). The selected CAS may be chosen based on a numbering plan area(NPA) or a numbering plan area central office exchange code (NPA-NXX)associated with the terminal identifier. The selected CAS may beconfigured to receive one or more of the terminal identifier, theconference code and the conference call participant code from the VAS.The CAS may be configured to use the terminal identifier to determine aserving switch. The CAS may be configured to transmit a set up messageto the serving switch. The set up message may direct the serving switchto initiate communications with a terminal associated with the terminalidentifier and may provide a conference bridge number and/or accesscode.

Other details and features will also be described in the sections thatfollow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is pointed out with particularity in the appendedclaims. However, other features of the present invention will becomemore apparent upon a review of this disclosure in its entirety,including the drawing figures provided herewith, the contents of whichare fully incorporated herein by way of reference.

Some features herein are illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example information distribution system, such as acable television network.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example architecture, with a closer level ofdetail on one of the premises illustrated in the FIG. 1 network.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example architecture that may be used inaccordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate electronic programming guide (EPG) orinteractive programming guide (IPG) interfaces that may be used inaccordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method that may be used in accordance with one ormore aspects of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements inthe following description. It is noted that these connections ingeneral, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and thatthis specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example information distribution network 100 onwhich many of the various features described herein may be implemented.Network 100 may be any type of information distribution network, such assatellite, optical fiber, telephone, cellular, wireless, etc. Thenetwork 100 may also be a hybrid fiber/coax distribution network foundin many cable television networks. Networks 100 may use a series ofinterconnected lines 101 to connect multiple user locations such ashomes 102 to a provider's central office, distribution facility, orheadend 103. The facility 103 may transmit downstream informationsignals onto the lines 101, and each home 102 may have a tuner used toreceive and process those signals.

The lines 101 may be a series of interconnected coaxial cables, fiberoptic cables, wireless paths, etc. There may be one line originatingfrom the facility 103, and it may be split a number of times todistribute the signal to various homes 102 in the vicinity (which may bemany miles) of the facility 103. The lines 101 may include componentsnot illustrated, such as splitters, filters, amplifiers, etc. to helpconvey the signal clearly. Portions of the lines 101 may also beimplemented with fiber-optic cable, resulting in a hybrid fiber/cablenetwork of lines 101. By running fiber optic cable along those portions,signal degradation in those portions may be significantly minimized,allowing a single facility 103 to reach even farther with its network oflines 101 than before.

FIG. 2 illustrates a closer view of one of the homes 102 from FIG. 1. Asillustrated, the home may be connected to the network 100 by, forexample, an optical fiber or coaxial cable feed 201. The feed may beconnected to a gateway device 202, which may serve as an interfacebetween the devices within the homes 102, and the external devices outon the network 100. The gateway itself may include tuners, modulators,demodulators, etc. to communicate out on the network, and may alsoinclude interface components to communicate with the devices in thehome.

As for the network in the home, the specific types of components mayvary, depending on the type of communication network used in the home.One example may be an Internet Protocol network 203 carried over thehome's internal coaxial wiring under the MoCA (Multimedia Over CoaxAlliance) standard. To this end, the gateway 202 may be an IP transportgateway, using IP communications to communicate with the devices in thehome, and with devices outside the home (e.g., via a DOCSIS CMTS). Othernetworks, such as wireless networks, may alternatively be used.

Various devices may communicate on this network in the home. Forexample, one or more personal computers 204 may use the gateway 202 tocommunicate with other devices on the Internet. Television set-top boxes(STBs) 205 may receive IP distribution of video content received at thegateway 202, and convert that video content into a format suitable fordisplay on corresponding televisions 206. For example, the STBs 205 mayreceive an MPEG2 stream of video, and may process that stream togenerate an HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) output signal toeach STB's corresponding television 206. A telephone 209 may communicateover the coaxial line tied to the home.

Some televisions in the home, however, might not have their own STB. Orthey might not have the circuitry needed to decode the MPEG2 stream ofvideo received at the gateway 202. For example, televisions 207 a and207 b might be old-fashioned analog televisions, having tunersconfigured to tune to the analog broadcast channels defined by the NTSC(National Television System Committee). Or they may be digitaltelevisions not equipped to receive and decode the latest form ofdigital compression or modulation used on the network 100. To supportsuch legacy devices, the gateway 202 may include a local wirelesstransmitter 208.

The local wireless transmitter 208 may be configured to broadcast alow-power radio frequency channel carrying video signals of a selectedprogram for local reception within the home. For example, if thetelevision 207 a is an analog television, the gateway 202 may use thetransmitter 208 to broadcast a selected program as an NTSC video signalon an NTSC Channel (e.g., channel 2). That channel and signal can betuned by the television 207 a, and displayed for the user's consumption.In this manner, legacy devices may continue to be used even if broadcasttransmission techniques advance. The transmitter 208 may be of anydesired wireless format, such as IEEE 802.11, ZIGBEE, BLUETOOTH, etc. An802.11 transmitter 208 may be especially useful, since the 2.4 GHz rangeof that standard happens to overlap the 300 MHz-3 GHz frequency range ofthe NTSC UHF channels.

FIG. 3 illustrates an architecture that may be used in conjunction withthe systems and architectures shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG.3, a customer premise equipment device (CPE) 302 (e.g., a STB 205 ortelevision 206 of FIG. 2, or any other user device) may be coupled to avideo application server (VAS) 308. Coupled, as used herein, meansconnected in any way to receive a signal (e.g., wireless). CPE 302 maybe configured with and running a two-way extensible markup language(XML) application in some embodiments. CPE 302 may also communicate withVAS 308 using one or more protocols, such as Data Over Cable ServiceInterface Specification (DOCSIS), Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA),or wireless protocols. VAS 308 may be located at or included as part ofa provider's distribution system (e.g., facility 103 of FIG. 1) in someembodiments.

In some embodiments, VAS 308 (or more generally, a server or othercomputer platform) may be configured to transmit programming content toCPE 302. While discussion provided herein is with respect to a VAS(e.g., VAS 308), any type of server or provider's system may be used insome embodiments. The programming content may include audiovisualcontent associated with television shows, movies, and the like. Theprogramming content may also include information and data for generatingan electronic programming guide (EPG) or an interactive programmingguide (IPG).

Referring to FIG. 4A, an illustrative EPG/IPG 400 is shown. EPG/IPG 400may include a number of channels 404, such as channels 5-7. EPG/IPG 400may also include an indication of a network provider or content sourceassociated with channels 404, such as FOX, ABC, and LCL. EPG/IPG 400 mayinclude a time axis 408. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, time axis 408covers the time frame from 2:00-3:30 PM. The intersection of a channel404 with a time frame/block included in time axis 408 may allow a userto correlate a channel number with a given time to determine whatprogramming content is available for viewing at the given time. Forexample, EPG/IPG 400 may include programming content Dick Tracy, SpongeBob, Barney, Oprah, Wheel of Fortune, and Debate 2010: The Supervisor.

As shown in FIG. 4A, a conferencing icon may be associated with one ormore programs included in EPG/IPG 400. For example, associated withprogram Debate 2010: The Supervisor is a conferencing icon 414. Theinclusion of conferencing icon 414 with program Debate 2010: TheSupervisor may serve to indicate to a viewer/user of EPG/IPG 400 thatconferencing options are available with respect to the program. In someembodiments a symbol, such as flag 416, may be included withconferencing icon 414. Symbol flag 416 may be useful for helping aviewer to differentiate or distinguish one program's conferencingavailability from another. For example, a flag may typically beassociated with government and may be suitable for a program gearedtowards a debate for a seat in an elected office. Conversely, a symbolof human lips (not shown in FIG. 4A) may be appropriate for a talk show,such as the Oprah program included in EPG/IPG 400. The choice of whatsymbol or icons to use may be made by a content source provider, anetwork or system operator, or the viewer in some embodiments.Alternatives to using a symbol may be used in some embodiments. Forexample, in some embodiments a menu or table may be used to provideinformation on what programming content is supported by conferencing.

Responsive to a user selection of conferencing icon 414, for example, alog-in menu or display screen 424 may be generated as shown in FIG. 4B.As shown in FIG. 4B, information such as a name of the program (“Debate2010: The Supervisor”) and a starting time (“2:00 PM”) of the programmay be included in log-in menu 424, as may a copy of conferencing icon414 and symbol 416. Such information may be useful for reminding a userof what program the user selected for purposes of conferencing options.Log-in menu 424 may also include a field for entering a log-in name andpassword. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the viewer may have a log-inname of “JohnDoe789” and a password of “ABC123XYZ.” The viewer may inputthe log-in name and password via a remote control device coupled to theCPE 302 of FIG. 3, directly on the CPE 302 (e.g., via one or morebuttons or keys located on CPE 302), via a computer (e.g., personalcomputer 204 of FIG. 2) coupled to the CPE 302, or the like.

The use of a log-in name and password described above is illustrative.In some embodiments, alternative techniques for determining the identityof a viewer may be used. For example, a viewer may input a personalidentification number (PIN), engage in a fingerprint or retinal scan,etc. In some embodiments, a course characterization may be made based onan ID associated with the CPE 302. For example, if CPE 302 is located(or registered as existing) in a child's bedroom, based on atransmission of an ID associated with CPE 302 to VAS 308, VAS 308 maypresume that the viewer is the child. Knowledge of the age of theviewer/user may be used to tailor or restrict conferencing content asdescribed further below.

Returning to the above example, responsive to a log-in name and passwordentry, CPE 302 may be configured to transmit an initial message to aserver, such as the VAS 308. The initial message may include the enteredlog-in name and password. VAS 308 may confirm or authenticate theentered log-in name and password in some embodiments. For example, if aviewer is to be charged a fee for engaging in a conference,authentication of the entered log-in name and password may be used tobill an account associated with the viewer. The initial messagetransmitted from CPE 302 to VAS 308 may include a program identification(PID) associated with the selected program (e.g., “Debate 2010: TheSupervisor” in FIGS. 4A and 4B). The PID may include one or more of aprogram name, a channel identification, and a time that the program isbeing displayed or transmitted.

Responsive to receiving the PID (and authenticating the log-in name andpassword in some embodiments), VAS 308 may be configured to look upconferencing options information associated with the selected program.For example, VAS 308 (or a database 314 associated with VAS 308) maystore conferencing options information associated with each program in atable and may use the PID received from CPE 302 as an index oridentifier into the table. VAS 308 may be configured to transmit theconferencing options information associated with the selected program toCPE 302. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the conferencing optionsinformation may include the age of the viewer. In some embodiments,instead of transmitting the age of the viewer to CPE 302, the viewer maysimply enter his/her age into CPE 302.

Topics of interest may also be included in the conferencing optionsinformation transmitted by VAS 308 to CPE 302. For example, in relationto the program “Debate 2010: The Supervisor,” dealing with a debate forthe post of town supervisor, topics for discussion during a conferencemay include construction of an entertainment complex in the town,efforts to combat drug and alcohol abuse, funding for educationalprograms, and the provision of services for seniors or the elderly inthe town community.

In some embodiments, the viewer may have the ability to select one ormore of the age and topics of interest in order to filter or tailorconferencing content. For example, as shown via the checkboxes in FIG.4B, the viewer may be interested in hearing from the candidates forsupervisor on topics related to the construction of the entertainmentcomplex, efforts to combat drug and alcohol abuse, and funding foreducational programs. That same viewer might not be interested inhearing about services for seniors, as indicated by the lack of a checkin the associated checkbox. The viewer may want to be placed in aconferencing group with his/her peers that are close in age, and so theviewer may place a check in the checkbox next to his/her age (16). Insome embodiments, the viewer might not have an option to check thecheckbox next to his/her age; rather, the checkbox may be checked offautomatically. For example, viewer identification techniques may be usedin connection with parental control settings to ensure that a youngerviewer is precluded from accessing restricted conferencing content.

CPE 302 may be configured to transmit the options selected by the viewerto VAS 308 for purposes of tailoring a conference for the viewer. Forexample, based on the selections shown in FIG. 4B, VAS 308 may beconfigured to place the viewer in a conference where the participantsare ages 14-18. That same viewer may speak with or listen to thecandidates for supervisor regarding the construction of theentertainment complex, efforts to combat drug and alcohol abuse, andfunding for educational programs.

In relation to the topic that the viewer did not indicate an interestin, when the candidates intend to speak or debate one another regardingthe provision of senior services in the town, the viewer may beredirected to different/alternative conferencing content in someembodiments. For example, the viewer may be redirected to support stafffor each of the candidates to discuss one or more of the topics theviewer shows interest in greater detail while the candidates discuss anddebate senior services. Alternatively, the conference may be paused orterminated for the viewer when the topics that are not of interest tothe viewer are being discussed. Accordingly, the viewer may be grantedaccess to portions of a conference corresponding to the viewerselections of conferencing options. Such pausing or termination may beuseful in embodiments where the viewer is charged based on his/her levelof participation in the conference. For example, the viewer might onlybe charged based on the selected topics of interest and may only gainaccess to the conference when the candidates are speaking about thoseselect topics.

As described above, in some embodiments VAS 308 may be configured towait for the receipt of the program identifier (PID) prior totransmitting conferencing options information to CPE 302. Suchembodiments may be useful for purposes of conserving (at least a portionof the) downstream transmission bandwidth because only thoseconferencing options that are relevant to the selected program aretransmitted to CPE 302. In alternative embodiments, VAS 308 may transmitthe conferencing options information associated with all programs thatsupport conferencing to CPE 302. In those alternative embodiments, CPE302 may filter the information based on the particular conferencing iconselected for purposes of generating all of, or portions of, log-in menu424. Such alternative embodiments may be useful in conserving processingresources at VAS 308.

Based on the receipt of the viewer log-in information VAS 308 may beconfigured to lookup in database 314 a terminal identifier associatedwith the viewer. The terminal identifier may be associated with aterminal associated with the viewer. In some embodiments, the terminalassociated with the viewer may be a telephone, and the terminalidentifier may include a telephone number. For example, database 314 maystore or maintain a table associating viewer log-in IDs with telephonenumbers. After the lookup is complete, VAS 308 may be configured totransmit the viewer's telephone number retrieved/received from database314 to communication/voice application server (CAS) 320. While a singleCAS 320 is shown in FIG. 3 for purposes of illustrative simplicity, insome embodiments, multiple CASs 320 may be in use. In terms of selectinga CAS 320, a CAS 320 may be chosen based on a numbering plan area (NPA)or numbering plan area central office exchange code (NPA-NXX) associatedwith the viewer telephone number. In some embodiments, an associationtable between NPA/NPA-NXX and CASs may be maintained in one or more ofVAS 308 and database 314 in order to facilitate choosing an appropriateCAS. In some embodiments, the terminal may be any other CPE device.

Based on receipt of a CPE ID from CPE 302, VAS 308 may be configured todetermine a node that is associated with CPE 302. For example, serviceproviders may use nodes as a fundamental network aggregationlevel/indication of location and use the nodal framework as a basis formaintenance and troubleshooting. In some embodiments, a home-to-nodemapping may be communicated to a central database to facilitate a selfdiscovery process. For example, with a DOCSIS capable upstream set topbox (STB), the STB may auto discover the node that it is homed to.

A determined node may be used as a proxy for the viewer's location.Continuing the above example related to the program “Debate 2010: TheSupervisor,” knowing the viewer's nodal location may be used fororganizing conference participants into specific conference groups.Thus, organizers or a moderator of the supervisor debate may take arepresentative number of questions from each conference group, which inturn would have the effect of taking questions from a distribution ofthe town's communities. In this way, each of the town's variouscommunities may be given equal or a proportionate amount of access tothe candidates. As described above, VAS 308 may also use viewer selectedconferencing options received from CPE 302 for purposes of organizingthe conference groups as well.

Additional techniques may be used for controlling the conference groups.For example, the size of a conference group may be controlled byimposing a minimum or a maximum in terms of the number of participantswithin the conference group. If the maximum is about to be exceeded in aparticular conference group as a result of a high-degree of interest,the conference groups may be reorganized or a new conference group maybe spawned. Similarly, if a particular conference group is decreasing insize due to a lack of interest, the conference groups may be reorganizedor the particular conference group may be terminated or disbanded.

Based on receipt of the program identifier (PID), and based on the nodethat CPE 302 is determined to be associated with, VAS 308 may beconfigured to determine a participant code. If multiple conference codeidentifiers (e.g., dial-in numbers) are used for purposes ofconferencing, an appropriate conference code identifier may be looked upbased on the PID and the node determination. VAS 308 may be configuredto transmit the (appropriate) conference code identifier and/orparticipant code to CAS 320, in addition to the terminal identifierdescribed above. The communication interface between VAS 308 and CAS 320may be implemented using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) in someembodiments. Other protocols or standards may be used in someembodiments.

CAS 320 may be configured to determine a serving (telephone) switch 326based on the receipt of the terminal identifier. In some embodiments,switch 326 may be a standard circuit switch, such as a 5ESS as producedby Alcatel-Lucent or a Nortel Digital Multiplex System (DMS). Othertechnologies, such as a VoIP CMS or an IMS core, may be used forpurposes of switch 326. Communications between CAS 320 and switch 326may take place using a Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP)SS7 message when switch 326 is a class V switch. In embodiments whereswitch 326 is implemented using VoIP or IMS, the messaging protocol usedmay be SIP.

Switch 326 may be configured to receive the terminal identifier from CAS320 and may initiate communication with a terminal 332 associated withthe terminal identifier. Terminal 332 may comprise one or more devices,such as a cellular phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a laptop computer, a personal computer, etc.

In embodiments where terminal 332 includes a phone, switch 326 may beconfigured to receive a telephone number associated with the phone fromCAS 320 and may ring the phone in response thereto. In response to thering, the viewer may pick-up or answer the phone. While a singleterminal 332 is shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments multiple terminalsmay be used. For example, each conference participant may have one ormore terminals 332. Such a terminal may be incorporated into a user'sdisplay device, or may be a stand alone device.

Switch 326 may be configured to receive a conference code identifierand/or participant code from CAS 320 and forward the same to terminal332. In this manner, the viewer may hear or otherwise receive (e.g., viaa text message or email) the conference code identifier and/orparticipant code. In some embodiments, VAS 308 may be configured totransmit the conference code identifier and participant code to CPE 302,and the conference code identifier and participant code may be displayedon a display screen associated with or coupled to CPE 302.

In some embodiments, one or more of the conference code identifier andparticipant code might not be transmitted to terminal 332/CPE 302. Inthose embodiments, the conference code identifier and/or participantcode may be hidden from the user or viewer. The conference codeidentifier and/or participant code may simply be passed/transmitted toswitch 326, and switch 326 may use the received conference codeidentifier and participant code to set up a conference between terminal332 and bridge 338.

Switch 326 may be configured to pass the conference code identifierand/or participant code information to a bridge 338 for purposes ofallocating bridge resources to support the conference. Thereafter, theviewer may connect to the conference using the conference codeidentifier and/or participant code.

In some embodiments, conferencing may include audiovisual programmingcontent to supplement discussion between various parties. Continuing theabove example, when the viewer identified by: (1) the viewer log-in name“JohnDoe789” (as shown in FIG. 4B), and/or (2) a corresponding CPE ID,speaks during the discussion with the candidates for supervisor, aprofile associated with that viewer may be made available (e.g.,distributed) to all the other conference participants. The profile madeavailable may include a profile or information maintained by a socialnetworking website. In this manner, conference participants (includingthe candidates) may obtain background information or context as to whoit is that is speaking.

The profile that is made available may also include the viewer's age andthe topics that the viewer selected as being of interest as shown inFIG. 4B. For example, VAS 308 (and/or database 314) may store orotherwise maintain the topical selections and may transmit thoseselections to one or more terminals 332 (or CPEs 302) when the viewerspeaks. In this manner, the candidates may be able to tailor theirremarks to those matters that are of interest to the particular viewerand may be able to thematically tie otherwise disparate points ofconversation in an effort to persuade the viewer. Also, conferenceparticipants may gain perspective on what issues are relevant to theviewer, a fellow town resident, and may modify or alter the relativeimportance or emphasis placed on a topic in response.

In some embodiments, VAS 308 may generate statistics based on theprofiles associated with the conference participants. Such statisticsmay be used by a candidate to emphasize those points that are likely toresonate with the conference participants and may be used by thecandidate to minimize or downplay those points that might be lesspopular with the electorate. For example, as a part of the conference, acandidate may initiate a distribution of a video to terminals 332 (orCPEs 302), the distributed video showing efforts the candidate hasundertaken to speed up the construction of the entertainment complex inthe town if the statistics indicate that the majority of the conferenceparticipants are in favor of seeing the entertainment complex completed.On the other hand, if the statistics indicate that the majority of theconference participants don't want to see the entertainment complexcompleted, the same (two-faced) candidate may initiate a distribution ofan alternative video to terminals 332 (or CPEs 302), the alternativevideo including a speech the candidate made a year ago regarding theneed to preserve the small-town character of the town by foregoingconstruction of modern entertainment facilities.

The candidates or a moderator of the conference may initiate a poll ofthe conference participants. For example, after the candidates havedebated and discussed the construction of the entertainment complex, apoll may be taken of the conference participants to determine whichcandidate is favored by the participants with respect to thattopic/issue. The conference participants may select a favored candidateon terminals 332, and the selections may be conveyed to a server orother computer platform (e.g., VAS 308) for tallying. The tallied pollresults may be published or made available for display.

In short, various forms of audiovisual content may be integrated orassociated with discussion to support a conference. The distribution ofthe audiovisual content may occur automatically or in response to aparticipant request to have the audiovisual content distributed.Moreover, while described above as the candidate(s) initiating thedistribution of audiovisual content (e.g., a video), in some embodimentsthe other conference participants may initiate the distribution ofaudiovisual content. For example, if during the conference a candidateis not being completely candid with respect to his/her position on agiven issue, the viewer may initiate a distribution of information suchas a letter or other document to terminals 332 (or CPEs 302) used by theother conference participants, the letter including statements made bythe candidate that run counter to the position that the candidate istaking during the conference.

In terms of controlling the dialogue that takes place during theconference, techniques may be used in addition to, or as an alternativeto, the conference groups described herein. Continuing the aboveexample, in order to account for a participant that is taking up morethan his/her fair share of the candidates' time, a moderator may havethe ability to remove the abusive participant from the conference orparticipants in the conference may choose to vote that abusiveparticipant out of the conference when their cast votes exceed athreshold value. In some embodiments, a delay may be imposed in order toconfirm that the dialogue is suitable for receipt by the conferenceparticipants. For example, one or more buffers may be included in one ormore of switch 326, terminal 332, and bridge 338. Filtering techniquesmay be used to remove or alter the dialogue in connection with thebuffered and delayed dialogue.

The functions described above were discussed as being allocated to, orexisting within, one of CPE 302, VAS 308, database 314, CAS 320, switch326, terminal 332, and bridge 338. In some embodiments the functionalitydiscussed with respect to one device (e.g., VAS 308) may be reallocatedto, or exist within, another device (e.g., CAS 320). Moreover, while thedevices in FIG. 3 are shown as being separate, in some embodiments twoor more of the devices may be combined into a single form-factor orreside within a common casing or housing.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method that may be used in connection with one ormore aspects of this disclosure. In step 504, an indicator (e.g., anicon, menu representation, etc.) may be transmitted for display. Thetransmitted indicator may indicate, for example, that conferencingsupport is available with respect to content listed in an electronicprogramming guide (EPG) or an interactive programming guide (IPG).Alternatively, the transmitted indicator may be configured to bedisplayed directly with the programming content (e.g., a televisionshow, a movie, a video, etc.). The transmitted indicator may begenerated by a content source or a network operator in some embodiments.

In step 510, a message may be received from a customer premise equipmentdevice (CPE). The message received in step 510 may be in response to aviewer selecting the indicator transmitted in step 504 via the CPE, orupon registering the CPE. The message received in step 510 may includeone or more of a CPE ID, a viewer ID (e.g., log-in name and password),and a program identifier (PID).

In step 516, in response to receiving an ID in step 510, the ID (e.g., aviewer or CPE ID) may be authenticated or confirmed. In someembodiments, the authentication performed in step 516 may includebilling an account associated with the viewer or the CPE. For example,such billing may be used where the conference is charged based on aflat-rate, irrespective of any conferencing options selected by theviewer.

In step 522, conferencing options associated with the PID received instep 510 may be transmitted to the CPE (optionally in response toauthenticating the viewer ID in step 516).

In step 528, a (second) message may be received from the CPE. Themessage may include conferencing options selected by the viewer. In someembodiments, an account associated with the viewer or CPE may be billedbased on the conferencing options selected by the viewer. For example,in embodiments where the viewer is charged based on the conferencingoptions selected, an account associated with the viewer may be debitedbased on the options received via the (second) message. In otherembodiments the conference originator or a third party may be billed forthe conference.

In step 534, the viewer may be assigned to a conference group based onone or more of a nodal location of the CPE (based on the CPE ID receivedin step 510) and the conferencing options selected by the viewer (instep 528).

In step 540, a lookup may be performed based on the viewer ID to fetchor retrieve conference parameters, including a terminal identifierassociated with the viewer, such as a phone number. A second lookup maybe performed to determine additional conference parameters, such as aconference code identifier and/or participant code, based on the PIDreceived in step 510 and the nodal location of the CPE. In someembodiments, the conference parameters may include whether theconference holder allows the user to communicate via audio only, viaaudio and video (video conference), and/or via displaying orcollaborative sharing of user documents.

In step 546, a conference setup message (which may include one or moreof the conference parameters) may be transmitted to a switch, which inturn may forward portions of the conference setup message to a viewerterminal (e.g., phone, display device, etc.) or conference bridge. Aspart of step 546, (portions of) the conference setup message may betransmitted to the CPE.

The method described above with respect to FIG. 5 is illustrative. Insome embodiments, some of the steps may be optional, additional stepsnot shown may be included, and the steps may be rearranged or reordered.For example, in some embodiments the conferencing options associatedwith the conference (step 522) may be transmitted with the transmissionof the indicator (step 504). In this manner, the viewer might not haveto submit a viewer ID (e.g., log-in name and password) prior to knowingwhat conferencing options are available.

While the above description was sometimes presented in the context of adebate for elected office, aspects of this disclosure may readily beapplied to other contexts as well. For example, political parties couldsetup town hall meetings and may pay for a conference bridge to bespawned from one or more local, regional, or national content providerstations or channels. In the context of a sitcom, aspects of thisdisclosure may be used to engage viewers with one or more actors oractresses from the sitcom in a conference, with the viewers optionallybeing charged a fee to engage in such a conference. In the context ofsporting events, viewers could engage in “trash talk” and camaraderietypically associated with a sports bar environment from the comfort oftheir own home. Similarly, conference bridges can be established for“stay at home” parents to discuss soap operas, talk shows, and the like.Neighbors that interact with one another offline may want to extendtheir relationships to an online environment, and aspects of thisdisclosure provide those neighbors the opportunity to do just that. Ofcourse, the contexts described herein are merely illustrative.Additional contexts are well within the scope and spirit of thisdisclosure.

Although not required, various aspects described herein may be embodiedas a method, a data processing system, or as a computer-readable mediumstoring executable instructions. Accordingly, those aspects may take theform of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely softwareembodiment, an entirely firmware embodiment, or an embodiment combiningsoftware, firmware and hardware aspects. The functionality may beresident in a single computing device, or may be distributed acrossmultiple computing devices/platforms, the multiple computingdevices/platforms optionally being connected to one another via one ormore networks. In addition, various signals representing data or eventsas described herein may be transferred between a source and adestination in the form of electromagnetic waves traveling throughsignal-conducting media such as metal wires, optical fibers, and/orwireless transmission media (e.g., air and/or space). One or moretransitory and/or non-transitory computer readable media may be used insome embodiments. The one or more media may store instructions that,when executed by one or more computers or apparatuses, cause the one ormore computers or apparatuses to perform the various methodological actsand processes described herein.

As described herein, the various methods and acts may be operativeacross one or more computing servers and one or more networks. Thefunctionality may be distributed in any manner, or may be located in asingle computing device (e.g., a server located at a facility, a clientcomputer, etc.). As discussed herein, access to audiovisual programmingcontent and programming related information may be obtained acrossvarious televisions, computers and the like, and conferencing optionsmay support the establishment of a conference based on common interestsand/or geographical location.

As described herein, the methodological acts and processes may be tiedto particular machines or apparatuses. For example, as described herein,a customer premise equipment device (CPE), such as a set-top box (STB),a television, a telephone, a hand-held smart device, etc., may be usedin various embodiments of this disclosure to associate content with aconference and for participating in the conference. More generally, oneor more computers may include one or more processors and memory storinginstructions, that when executed, perform the methodological acts andprocesses described herein. Furthermore, the methodological acts andprocesses described herein may perform a variety of functions includingtransforming an article (e.g., an icon or other representation of aconferencing option associated with content) into a different state orthing (e.g., the establishment of a conference via a television and/ortelephone network(s) based on a terminal identifier associated with aviewer and/or a geographical location of the viewer).

The various embodiments and examples described above are, as stated,merely examples. Many variations may be implemented to suit a particularimplementation, and the various features may be combined, divided,rearranged, omitted and/or augmented as desired. The scope of thispatent should not be limited by any of the specific examples describedherein.

1. A method comprising: transmitting via a content distribution systeman indicator that indicates that conferencing is available; receiving amessage indicating that the indicator has been selected by a viewer, themessage comprising at least one of a customer premise equipment device(CPE) identification (ID) and a conference program identification (PID);determining at least one of a conference code identifier and participantcode based on the at least one of the CPE ID and the PID; andtransmitting a conference setup message, the conference setup messagecomprising the at least one of a conference code identifier andparticipant code.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the received messagefurther comprises a viewer ID, and wherein the method further comprises:authenticating the viewer ID.
 3. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising: charging an account associated with the viewer in responseto authenticating the viewer ID.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: transmitting a plurality of conferencing options, whereinthe received message further comprises a viewer selection of at leastone of the plurality of conferencing options.
 5. The method of claim 4,further comprising: assigning the viewer to a conference group based onthe viewer selection of at least one of the plurality of conferencingoptions.
 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising: granting theviewer access to a portion of a conference corresponding to the viewerselection of at least one of the plurality of conferencing options. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the received message comprises the CPEID, the method further comprising: assigning the viewer to a conferencegroup based on the CPE ID.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein assigningthe viewer to the conference group based on the CPE ID comprisesdetermining a nodal location of a CPE identified by the CPE ID.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: determining a terminal identifierassociated with the viewer, wherein determining the terminal identifierassociated with the viewer and determining the at least one of aconference code identifier and participant code comprises looking up theterminal identifier and the at least one of a conference code identifierand participant code in a database.
 10. The method of claim 1, whereinthe indicator comprises an icon.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein theindicator is associated with content referenced in at least one of anelectronic programming guide (EPG) and an interactive programming guide(IPG), and wherein the indicator is configured to be displayed in the atleast one of the EPG and IPG.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein theindicator is generated by at least one of a content source and a networkoperator.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the received messagecomprises the CPE ID, and wherein the CPE ID comprises a set-top box(STB) ID.
 14. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; andmemory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least oneprocessor, cause the apparatus to perform: transmitting an indicatorthat indicates that conferencing is available; receiving a messageindicating that the indicator has been selected by a viewer, the messagecomprising at least one of a customer premise equipment device (CPE)identification (ID) and a conference program identification (PID);determining at least one of a conference code identifier and participantcode based on the at least one of the CPE ID and the PID; andtransmitting a conference setup message, the conference setup messagecomprising the at least one of a conference code identifier andparticipant code.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the receivedmessage comprises the CPE ID, and wherein the instructions, whenexecuted by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform:assigning the viewer to a conference group based on the CPE ID.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein the indicator comprises an icon.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein the instructions, when executed by the atleast one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: distributingaudiovisual content to customer premise equipment devices (CPEs). 18.The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the instructions, when executed bythe at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: determiningthat the viewer has spoken, wherein the distributing of the audiovisualcontent to the CPEs is responsive to determining that the viewer hasspoken.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the audiovisual contentincludes at least one of a profile, a video, a document, an image, and apoll.
 20. One or more non-transitory computer readable media storinginstructions that, when executed by at least one computer, cause the atleast one computer to perform: transmitting an indicator that indicatesthat conferencing is available; receiving a message indicating that theindicator has been selected by a viewer, the message comprising at leastone of a customer premise equipment device (CPE) identification (ID) anda conference program identification (PID); determining at least one of aconference code identifier and participant code based on the at leastone of the CPE ID and the PID; and transmitting a conference setupmessage, the conference setup message comprising the at least one of aconference code identifier and participant code.